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Shaving My Head For Lupus Research - Heather Katsonga-Woodward

2/1/2016

14 Comments

 
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Why would I, someone whose income comes from hair, shave my hair off? This is why…
 
In December 2014 I was fortunate enough to have my whole family come from Malawi to England to enjoy the birth of my son, Chester.
 
They all came at different times. My sister, Yolie and her son Christopher arrived first, on 8-Dec. My aunt Jayne picked them up from the airport and when they got to the house I was surprised to see that Yolie’s legs were so swollen that she couldn’t walk.
 
She’s naturally skinny so it was very obvious. She said her legs had swollen up en route. We all thought it was just the weird air conditions in a flight. She has lupus and is therefore prone to her legs swelling up at times.
 
Aunt Jayne (a former nurse) said she’d come by the next day to take her to A&E just to check if everything was alright.
 
When they got to A&E the doctor that saw them said that the swelling in her legs would go down, it’s going to be fine and she should just go home. As far as he was concerned, it was just another migrant trying to use the British health system for free.
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My aunt insisted that my sister had left home healthy and was now in this state so they should at least run some bloods. A more senior doctor agreed. Begrudgingly, the first doctor took bloods and told them to go to a café or something whilst they waited for the results.
 
When they got back he was in a state of panic. He was pacing up and down asking essentially, “where the hell they’d been?!”
 
At 38 weeks pregnant I was at home babysitting my nephew so I wasn’t privy to these events as they unfolded.
 
Her bloods were not normal. Her potassium was 7.2 when the normal level was 3.5-4.5. Not only that but she was in a severe state of acidosis caused by kidney failure. The reason he was going nuts was that he’d never actually witnessed that level of metabolic derangement in a living being. He said in another 3 hours she would likely be dead.
 
My sister has had lupus since 2010 but you’d never guess from her spirits. She is so positive and spritely all the time. Even on this day you wouldn’t have known the pain she was going through.
 
In the end, she spent about 3 weeks in hospital when she was meant to be on holiday. Some of these days were in the intensive care unit and the resultant total bill which my parents have been paying ever since was about £12,000 ($20,000).
 
My sister’s kidneys are affected by lupus and she now lives with the support of kidney dialysis twice a week (reduced from 3 times a week).

So tomorrow, 2-Jan-2015, I am shaving my head to raise money into research to find a cure for lupus.
​
Every little counts, so please give whatever you can. No amount is too small.
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What is lupus?
 
Lupus is an autoimmune condition in which something goes wrong with the immune system and healthy cells and in many cases vital organs are attacked by one’s own body.
 
Who gets Lupus?
 
According to lupus.org:
  • 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus
  • 90% of people diagnosed with lupus are women, aged 15-44.
  • Lupus is 2 – 3 times more prevalent among black people, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders – than among Caucasian women. 
  • Systemic lupus accounts for c. 70% of all cases of lupus.
    • In c.50% of these cases, a major organ, e.g. the heart, lungs, kidneys or brain, will be affected. 
    • Cutaneous lupus (affecting only the skin) accounts for c.10% of all lupus cases. 
    • Drug-induced lupus accounts for c. 10% of all lupus cases and is caused by high doses of certain medications.  The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to systemic lupus; however, symptoms usually subside when the medications are discontinued.
  • 20% of people with lupus will have a parent or sibling who already has lupus or may develop lupus.
  • c. 5% of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.
  • 10-15% of people with lupus will die prematurely due to complications of lupus
 
My sister has systemic lupus and one year ago nearly died due to the complication of kidney failure. She survives day to day with the help of dialysis twice a week and I am hoping and praying that a cure is found soon so that one day she might be able to live a normal life again for her and her son.
 
Every little counts, so please give whatever you can. No amount is too small.

BIG FAVOUR: please share my JustGiving page.
14 Comments
Iris Jennings
8/1/2016 05:37:49 pm

You are a very brave and sweet ladie and loving sister you are beautiful with or without hair and you're doing it for a good cause to help find a cure for lupus God bless you.......and your family I pray that there is a cure.......

Reply
Tangerine
13/1/2016 02:22:17 pm

It's obvious you love your family! What a wonderful thing to do in honor of your sister and sufferers worldwide! And, your hair looks as cute shorn as it did big and fluffy!

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marilyn
13/1/2016 02:48:58 pm

God bless you, all that story is so courageous from you . May they fine cure for lupus , God.over to you . You said you will deliver us from all the deseases . Jesus you are a healer ,we call upon your name to be save.

Reply
Bella
13/1/2016 05:44:05 pm

You look absolutely stunning!!! You're so beautiful and definitely to be commended for your humility in doing this for your family and many others!!

Reply
Candace
13/1/2016 06:31:17 pm

You are such a beautiful person. You being a blessing to your family. I believe Yahweh will heal your sister and she will be fine. Stay strong and keep the Faith. Beautiful to see family help each other. Mine would never do this for me.

Reply
erma
14/1/2016 12:08:09 am

I saw a website lupus miracle breakthur to heal and cure naturally lupus by a UK guy named mark anastasi. He wrote this book around2006 I think. the website is India divine. there might be other ways to help her may you be blessed and I hope she is better. you are beautiful inside and out.I hope this helps.or any other natural treatments.

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Sun
14/1/2016 09:30:00 am

This is Beautiful of you to do for the cause & You are Beautiful w/ & w/out hair!!! May GOD Continue to BLESS YOU!!

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Evelyn
14/1/2016 11:29:38 am

she will be healed . Amen

psalm 91

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Sjanna
14/1/2016 06:59:40 pm

Wow, you look fierce beautiful lady. Stay strong for you and your family. Thanks for the education on Lupus as well.

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Lindi
15/1/2016 04:16:25 am

Awesome. You don't look bad at all. Big heart. All your best to your sister.

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Joy
16/1/2016 01:39:11 pm

Heather you look awesome! So beautiful. Truly, we are not our hair. Best wishes to your sister

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Erica Robinson link
17/1/2016 05:51:41 pm

What a beautiful and touching show of unconditional sisterly love! You look AMAZING Heather! Many prayers for you and your family, I pray that a cure is found!

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Valerie
4/2/2016 07:18:37 am

Unfortunately, cancer is not a stranger in our family either. Our family will be praying for you and your family. And I love your new look. Your timing is incredible; I have been thinking about shaving all my hair off. I have been natural for about 4 years. May you and your family have a phenomenal 2016.

Reply
salomey kwaw
5/2/2016 03:01:25 am

please i dont know , but how does shaving off your hair help find the cure to lupus . Please educate me. Your hair will definetly be growing soon

Reply



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    I now blog about wealth creation - so if you have any money questions meet me there, you can do all sorts of cool things like leave me a voicemail.
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    By Heather Katsonga-Woodward

    I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx

    p.s. I now blog about wealth and personal finance on my personal website.

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